Zanu PF dismiss sabre-rattling UK invasion - povo will not, welcomed 2017 coup

The story of the British planning to invade Zimbabwe should be dismissed as far-fetched.

The Sunday Times, citing a leaked National Security Document, said Williamson "ordered military chiefs to draw up plans for intervention by the armed forces in at least five African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt."

"This sabre-rattling sacked British Defence Secretary thinks Africa is still a place where British invasions are acceptable ways of conducting international relations? It's an embarrassment to have someone with such imperialistic nostalgia so highly placed," twittered Nick Mangwana.

I do not know about the other four African countries but I believe many Zimbabweans will be out in the streets to welcome the British soldiers in greater numbers as those who welcomed the 15 November 2017 military coup. The very fact that Zimbabweans should even welcome a coup is a measure of just how desperate the people are for meaningful democratic change.

I, for one, did not support the 15 November 2017 coup because I never believed for a minute that any good could ever come out of the replacement of one dictator with another. What the country needed was the dismantling of the dictatorship, that entailed the implementing of the democratic reforms designed to strip Zanu PF of its carte blanche dictatorial powers, restructuring the country's institutions and appointing clean people, etc.

However, I would not have joined the mob welcoming the British soldiers but for a more subtle reason. I am sure that the British would have seen to the complete dismantling of the Zanu PF dictatorship. My worry would be how long the new system the British will leave behind last?

I believe the country's chaotic political system and the economic mess that it has caused have cause serious human suffering but out of all the tragic suffering and deaths the people were learning that they must be masters of their own destiny.

In 1980, when the country attained her independence, the biggest mistake the people of Zimbabwe made was to let Mugabe and his Zanu PF thugs deny them their freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life. The people should have fought for their freedoms and rights and never give an inch. They did not and have paid dearly for their folly. One hopes that the people were waking up out of the slumber and reclaiming their freedoms and rights.

The British invasion would have helped secured their freedoms and rights but will the people not be tempted to let the regime that takes over when the British leave systematically rob them of their freedoms and rights once again just as happened in 1980? Will the people not be tempted to believe the British will invade the country again and rescue them?

If the people of Zimbabwe had foreseen the sorry state of rot and decay 39 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule has brought many would have refused independence. We are an independent nation now, we cannot turn back the clock, the challenge is for us to make independence work for all Zimbabweans and not just for the sabre-rattling filthy rich ruling elite few.

No single Zimbabwean with half a brain is proud that Zimbabwe has become the basket case of a failed state. Still, by invading the country the British will be sending out the message that the country is not just a failed state but one incapable of self-government beyond the pale. Not even one Zimbabwean with half a brain will accept that characterisation.

I, for one, has no doubt that the country has competent men and women far endowed with common sense and humanity beyond the brain-dead Zanu PF thugs and MDC sell-outs who have ruled the country this far!